“Victory in Jesus”

2 Corinthians 2 5- 11

v.5 Paul is dealing with a situation that involved someone in the Corinthian church who had caused problems. Most likely the individual had attempted to discredit Paul in some way. Paul is sure to tell them that he is not grieved. He refuses to name names in the issue. He is only speaking of the situation “in part” because he does not want to say too much about the issue. That’s what the phrase “not to put it too severely” means. There was no reason to say much concerning the event. The problem had been solved and as far as Paul was concerned it was dropped.

Sometimes we think that it is necessary for us to continue to talk about our problems. Many times talking about our problems only makes them worse. We should talk about our solutions, not our problems. In fact, talking about our problems often exaggerates them and causes more worry than hope.

v.6 The punishment that the church had issued on the sinning believer was sufficient. Paul was not upset that the church had enacted church discipline. He simply said that the discipline they measured out was enough. The use of the word “majority” refers to the body of believers in the church making a united decision to deal with the problem.

Most likely the believers did exactly what Matthew 18:15-20 says.

As well, the discipline had worked. The individual repented and was restored to the church. Church discipline is an important ministry of the church. It should, however, be done with the proper motive (Gal. 6:1).

v.7 Because the man had repented, Paul told the Corinthians they should now treat him as a brother.

They should forgive him. If God forgave the person, they should as well. Paul was the one that was directly attacked. He had forgiven the offender. Evidently there were people within the church that were having a difficult time forgiving the person.

They should also comfort the offender. The term implies encouragement. They were not called to simply tolerate the repentant brother. They were to take an active role in encouraging him to live for the Lord. Often time sinning believers get the “scarlet letter” from other believers. We “forgive” but don’t forget. Therefore, we treat them like a sinner even after they have been restored to the Lord. This is certainly ungodly and Pharisaical.

The reason Paul tells them to do this is now given. He does not want the man to be swallowed up in much sorrow. “Overwhelmed” refers to being overcome with too much sorrow. Truly repentant believers are already broken. If they are treated in an ungodly way by the church it could cause problems. They could plunge into spiritual depression. It could prevent them from being active for the Lord, committed to church attendance or being honest in the future about sin. How a church treats sinners is telling about the depth of their spirituality.

v.8 The Corinthians needed to show their love publicly for the repentant man. The discipline they enacted was public; the restoration should be as well. It is possible that the man wondered whether or not he was even loved by the church anymore. Certainly relationships within the church were different for him now. Paul told them they needed to publicly love this man. They were to “reaffirm” their love toward him. The idea behind this word is “to make official”. It could be that Paul was encouraging the church to have some type of service restoring the man and reaffirming their love toward him. Then there would be no doubt how the church felt about him. Paul was going the extra mile for a man that had treated him badly.

v.9 Paul is probably referring to the sorrowful letter written between 1st and 2nd Corinthians. He wrote the letter, for one, to see if the Corinthians would obey his teachings. The testimony that Paul received concerning the Corinthians comforted him (7:6). Therefore, they must have responded in the right way. Our actions are more telling than our words. The proof of our obedience is in our actions.

v.10 Paul tells the Corinthians that he has forgiven the man just as they have. The phrase “if I forgave any thing” is close to the same meaning as verse 5. Paul was not bitter. He had nothing to forgive. For the sake of the Corinthians however, he says, “I forgive the person.” There can be no questions now. Paul forgave the man. Paul’s desire was that the church at Corinth be unified and full of love. He was therefore willing to say “I forgive him” even though he knew in his heart he was not holding on to any unforgiveness.

Paul said he did this in the presence of Christ. Paul was convinced that he was constantly in the presence of the Lord Jesus. His constant Christ consciousness is what compelled him to live such a godly life. As believers we live in the presence of Christ. He is in us and we are in Him. This reality should urge us to be serious about matters of obedience.

v.11 Paul gives a warning. If the church does not practice forgiveness, they will open the door up for Satan. Self righteous believers do not understand that Satan can use them in many ways. He can do great damage by filling believers with an attitude of unforgiveness. An unforgiving church can do damage to the body of Christ. One of Satan’s strategies with believers is to get them to be so “holy” that they have no pity or love toward the ungodly. The word “designs” is “noema”. It means “thought or concept of the mind”. Satan has a brain. He uses it to think of ways to destroy the work of God. He desires to get God’s church full of unforgiving people. If God’s people are unforgiving the world will believe that God is unforgiving. If the world believes God is unforgiving, they will not come to Him.

We should be careful not to fall into Satan’s trap. We should be full of forgiveness.

Thoughts To Consider on Forgiveness in the Church

1. Sin should offend the church because it offends God.

2. Church discipline works if done the proper way.

3. Sin in a believer’s life should primarily move us to pity and compassion.

4. God want’s to see proof of our forgiveness.

5. Satan’s two strategies; Get the church to love sin.

Get church to hate sinners.

2 Corinthians 2 12-17

v.12 Paul probably traveled to Troas sometime after the riot in Ephesus (Acts 19:23-41). Many of Paul’s companions were supposed to meet him there (Acts 20:6). The purpose of Paul’s trip to Troas was to preach Christ’s gospel. In fact that is what Paul did wherever he went. The Lord opened a door for him in Troas. This simply means that there were people who were receptive to the gospel. A church was established in Troas. Possibly this church was established while Paul was waiting on Titus. His visit gives us the entertaining story of Eutychus falling asleep in church and plunging out a window to his death only to be resurrected (Acts 20:7-12).

v.13 Paul was troubled in his spirit. He had hoped to see Titus. Titus was supposed to give him the news about the Corinthian church. Paul had written two letters to the church at Corinth. Both of these letters were full of correction. Paul was sincerely concerned about how the Corinthians would respond to his letters. He was so anxious to hear the response that he left Troas and went to Macedonia looking for him. Eventually, Paul found Titus in Macedonia (2 Cor. 7:5-6). Paul was comforted by the testimony of Titus. He relayed to Paul that the church responded to his rebukes with repentance.

In these two verses we cannot help but see the genuine concern Paul has for the Corinthian church. His heart actually aches for them. He cannot rest until he discovers the state of their spirituality. Paul is no hireling. He cares for the sheep. He wants to see them grow in their faith and succeed as a church.

v.14 Paul now erupts into praise. He is thankful that God gave them the victory in these spiritual matters. He is sure not to give himself credit for the Corinthians repentance. He thanks God. Paul’s sorrow is turned into joy over the victory God has given. The next few verses are a commentary on the victory that God gives to believers. Let’s look at it closely.

God causes us to triumph through Christ. The word used for “triumph” comes from a word used to describe a specific type of victory parade reserved for Roman generals. If the general had led the military into victory and completed certain acts he would receive a “triumphal procession”. The criteria were:

* He had to be the actual commander in chief.

* The victory must be complete.

*Five thousand of the enemy must have been killed in one engagement.

* The territory must have been expanded.

* The victory must have been over a foreign foe.

The parade consisted of the political leaders of Rome. Prisoners of war were made to march in the parade and put to an open shame. Trumpeters marched and played. Certain spoils taken from the land conquered were carried for display. Musicians, priests carrying incense, bulls to be sacrificed all preceded the general. He was the focal point of the parade. He would be carried in a chariot and clothed in a beautiful purple garment. He held the ivory scepter with the Roman eagle on top of it. A slave would hold the crown of Jupiter over his head as he was drawn through the streets for all to see. Those who looked on knew that this was the man that caused Rome to triumph. Behind the general marched his army shouting “Io triumphe!” The phrase means “Hurrah, O triumph!”

Paul saw the Lord Jesus as the One that gives believers the victory. Soon the Lord Jesus would be publicly displayed for all to see. He would be honored as the great General who has led the church into victory (see Colossians 2:15). As His army, the church will follow Him into victory destroying the works of the devil and rescuing souls from hell (Col. 1:13). The church can shout “Victory” even now before the war is over. We can do this because we know that in Christ we will always have the victory.

The gospel is a sweet smelling aroma. During the celebration of the triumph the incense that the priests carried would fill the streets with a sweet aroma. Paul uses this common custom to illustrate the preaching of the gospel. Everywhere Paul went he carried the gospel. His words were like a sweet smelling aroma filling the hearts of those who would believe. The knowledge of Christ is given through the gospel. It is that knowledge that is the sweet smelling aroma.

v.15 Believers are the aroma of Christ to God. In the celebration of triumph the emperor was seated at the end of the processional. Eventually the fragrance of the incense would reach him. Because the parade represented a victory for Rome and the incense was a part of that celebration, the incense pleased the emperor. To the believer God is his “emperor”. The ministry of a believer ascends into the heavens and pleases God. It pleases Him because we “smell” like Christ. We are clothed in His righteousness and busy with His ministry.

15b-16 The gospel affects everyone. Both the army of Rome and the prisoners of war smelled the incense of the priests. To the Roman army the aroma was a fragrance of life. To the others it was a fragrance that reminded them they had been defeated and would now be put to death. This is how the gospel is. The message of Christ is sweet to many. It reminds them of their victory over Satan and the eternal celebration they will soon enter into.

To unbelievers the gospel reminds them of their sin and the impending doom that awaits them if they continue to reject the gospel.

No one deserves to be saved. Paul’s question “Who is sufficient?” is not meant to be answered. It implies that it is common knowledge that no one deserves to be a sweet aroma to God. Paul did not believe that in himself he was worthy of the ministry God gave him.

v.17 Paul concluded that there are men who peddle the word of God. The word of God refers here specifically to the gospel. The term “peddle” can also be translated “corrupt”. The word speaks of a person who tampers with what he sells in order to make a better profit from it. For instance, it may refer to the wine seller who waters down his wine in order to make more money.

In the same way there are many who water down the word of God in order to profit from it. They change the message of the gospel in order to get more followers. Paul would never do that. He would proclaim the full gospel in the power of God (Rom. 1:16).

Paul sincerely preached the gospel by the power of God in the sight of God. His understanding that he was accountable before God kept him sincere. Despite the tough times he had with the church at Corinth, he would continue to proclaim the truth of the gospel. He knew that Christ was already victorious and he anxiously awaited the great victory celebration that was soon to come. This reality helped him press on despite his trials.